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Alcaide J, Gramuntell Y, Klimczak P, Bueno-Fernandez C, Garcia-Verellen E, Guicciardini C, Sandi C, Castillo-Gómez E, Crespo C, Perez-Rando M, Nacher J. Long term effects of peripubertal stress on the thalamic reticular nucleus of female and male mice. Neurobiol Dis 2024:106642. [PMID: 39173845 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2024.106642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Adverse experiences during infancy and adolescence have an important and enduring effect on the brain and are predisposing factors for mental disorders, particularly major depression. This impact is particularly notable in regions with protracted development, such as the prefrontal cortex. The inhibitory neurons of this cortical region are altered by peripubertal stress (PPS), particularly in female mice. In this study we have explored whether the inhibitory circuits of the thalamus are impacted by PPS in male and female mice. This diencephalic structure, as the prefrontal cortex, also completes its development during postnatal life and is affected by adverse experiences. The long-term changes induced by PPS were exclusively found in adult female mice. We have found that PPS increases depressive-like behavior and induces changes in parvalbumin-expressing (PV+) cells of the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN). We observed reductions in the volume of the TRN, together with those of parameters related to structures/molecules that regulate the plasticity and connectivity of PV+ cells: perineuronal nets, matricellular structures surrounding PV+ neurons, and the polysialylated form of the neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM). The expression of the GluN1, but not of GluN2C, NMDA receptor subunit was augmented in the TRN after PPS. An increase in the fluorescence intensity of PV+ puncta was also observed in the synaptic output of TRN neurons in the lateral posterior thalamic nucleus. These results demonstrate that the inhibitory circuits of the thalamus, as those of the prefrontal cortex, are vulnerable to the effects of aversive experiences during early life, particularly in females. This vulnerability is probably related to the protracted development of the TRN and might contribute to the development of psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Alcaide
- Neurobiology Unit, Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED), Universitat de València, 46100, Spain; Spanish National Network for Research in Mental Health CIBERSAM, 28029, Spain; Fundación Investigación Hospital Clínico de Valencia, INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Yaiza Gramuntell
- Neurobiology Unit, Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED), Universitat de València, 46100, Spain; Spanish National Network for Research in Mental Health CIBERSAM, 28029, Spain; Fundación Investigación Hospital Clínico de Valencia, INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Patrycja Klimczak
- Neurobiology Unit, Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED), Universitat de València, 46100, Spain; Spanish National Network for Research in Mental Health CIBERSAM, 28029, Spain; Fundación Investigación Hospital Clínico de Valencia, INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Clara Bueno-Fernandez
- Neurobiology Unit, Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED), Universitat de València, 46100, Spain; Spanish National Network for Research in Mental Health CIBERSAM, 28029, Spain; Fundación Investigación Hospital Clínico de Valencia, INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Erica Garcia-Verellen
- Neurobiology Unit, Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED), Universitat de València, 46100, Spain
| | - Chiara Guicciardini
- Neurobiology Unit, Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED), Universitat de València, 46100, Spain
| | - Carmen Sandi
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Esther Castillo-Gómez
- Spanish National Network for Research in Mental Health CIBERSAM, 28029, Spain; Department of Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Valencia, Spain
| | - Carlos Crespo
- Neurobiology Unit, Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED), Universitat de València, 46100, Spain
| | - Marta Perez-Rando
- Neurobiology Unit, Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED), Universitat de València, 46100, Spain; Spanish National Network for Research in Mental Health CIBERSAM, 28029, Spain; Fundación Investigación Hospital Clínico de Valencia, INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain.
| | - Juan Nacher
- Neurobiology Unit, Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED), Universitat de València, 46100, Spain; Spanish National Network for Research in Mental Health CIBERSAM, 28029, Spain; Fundación Investigación Hospital Clínico de Valencia, INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain.
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Li Y, Xu YF, Chi HL, Yu JY, Gao YN, Li HB, Kang YM, Yu XJ. Testis-Specific Protein, Y-Encoded-Like 2 Activates JAK2/STAT3 Pathway in Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus to Sustain Hypertension. Am J Hypertens 2024; 37:682-691. [PMID: 38782571 DOI: 10.1093/ajh/hpae067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), the expression of the testis-specific protein, Y-encoded-like 2 (TSPYL2) and the phosphorylation level of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) are higher comparing with the normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). But how they are involved in hypertension remains unclear. TSPYL2 may interact with JAK2/STAT3 in PVN to sustain high blood pressure during hypertension. METHODS Knockdown of TSPYL2 via adeno-associated virus (AAV) carrying shRNA was conducted through bilateral microinjection into the PVN of SHR and WKY rats. JAK2/STAT3 inhibition was achieved by intraperitoneally or PVN injection of AG490 into the SHRs. Blood pressure (BP), plasma norepinephrine (NE), PVN inflammatory response, and PVN oxidative stress were measured. RESULTS TSPYL2 knock-down in the PVN of SHRs but not WKYs led to reduced BP and plasma NE, deactivation of JAK2/STAT3, decreased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β, and increased expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in the PVN. Meanwhile, AG490 administrated in both ways reduced the BP in the SHRs and deactivated JAK2/STAT3 but failed to change the expression of TSPYL2 in PVN. AG490 also downregulated expression of IL-1β and upregulated expression of IL-10. Both knockdown of TSPYL2 and inhibition of JAK2/STAT3 can reduce the oxidative stress in the PVN of SHRs. CONCLUSION JAK2/STAT3 is regulated by TSPYL2 in the PVN of SHRs, and PVN TSPYL2/JAK2/STAT3 is essential for maintaining high BP in hypertensive rats, making it a potential therapeutic target for hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- Cardiometabolic Innovation Center, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
| | - Yang-Fei Xu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- Cardiometabolic Innovation Center, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
| | - Hong-Li Chi
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- Cardiometabolic Innovation Center, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin, Hebei, P.R. China
| | - Jia-Yue Yu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- Cardiometabolic Innovation Center, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- College of Basic Medicine, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
| | - Ya-Nan Gao
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
| | - Hong-Bao Li
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- Cardiometabolic Innovation Center, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
| | - Yu-Ming Kang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- Cardiometabolic Innovation Center, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Jing Yu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
- Cardiometabolic Innovation Center, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China
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Alonso-Caraballo Y, Li Y, Constantino NJ, Neal MA, Driscoll GS, Mavrikaki M, Bolshakov VY, Chartoff EH. Sex-specific behavioral and thalamo-accumbal circuit adaptations after oxycodone abstinence. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.08.01.605459. [PMID: 39149276 PMCID: PMC11326127 DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.01.605459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
Opioid use disorder is marked by a progressive change in the motivation to administer the drug even in the presence of negative consequences. After long periods of abstinence, the urge to return to taking the drug intensifies over time, known as incubation of craving. Conditioned responses to drug-related stimuli, can acquire motivational properties and exert control over motivated behaviors leading to relapse. Although, preclinical data suggest that the behavioral expression of opioid use is similar between male and female rodents, we do not have conclusive results on sex differences on craving and relapse across abstinence periods. Here, we investigated the effects of abstinence from oxycodone self-administration on neurotransmission in the paraventricular thalamus (PVT) to nucleus accumbens shell (NAcSh) pathway in male and female rats. Using optogenetics and ex vivo electrophysiology, we assessed synaptic strength and glutamate release probability in this pathway, as well as NAcSh medium spiny neurons (MSN) intrinsic excitability, in slices from rats which were subjected to either 1 (acute) or 14 (prolonged) days of forced abstinence after self-administration. Our results revealed no sex differences in oxycodone self-administration or somatic withdrawal symptoms following acute abstinence. However, we found a sex-specific enhancement in cue-induced relapse after prolonged, but not acute, abstinence from oxycodone self-administration, with females exhibiting higher relapse rates. Notably, prolonged abstinence led to similar increases in synaptic strength at PVT-NAcSh inputs compared to saline controls in both sexes, which was not observed after acute abstinence. Thus, prolonged abstinence results in a time-dependent increase in PVT-NAcSh synaptic strength and sex-specific effects on cue-induced relapse rates. These findings suggest that prolonged abstinence leads to significant synaptic changes, contributing to heightened relapse vulnerability, highlighting the need for targeted therapeutic strategies in opioid use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Alonso-Caraballo
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
- Department of Neuroscience & Medical Discovery Team on Addiction, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Y Li
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - N J Constantino
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - M A Neal
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - G S Driscoll
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - M Mavrikaki
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - V Y Bolshakov
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - E H Chartoff
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
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Ma J, O'Malley JJ, Kreiker M, Leng Y, Khan I, Kindel M, Penzo MA. Convergent direct and indirect cortical streams shape avoidance decisions in mice via the midline thalamus. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6598. [PMID: 39097600 PMCID: PMC11297946 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50941-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Current concepts of corticothalamic organization in the mammalian brain are mainly based on sensory systems, with less focus on circuits for higher-order cognitive functions. In sensory systems, first-order thalamic relays are driven by subcortical inputs and modulated by cortical feedback, while higher-order relays receive strong excitatory cortical inputs. The applicability of these principles beyond sensory systems is uncertain. We investigated mouse prefronto-thalamic projections to the midline thalamus, revealing distinct top-down control. Unlike sensory systems, this pathway relies on indirect modulation via the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN). Specifically, the prelimbic area, which influences emotional and motivated behaviors, impacts instrumental avoidance responses through direct and indirect projections to the paraventricular thalamus. Both pathways promote defensive states, but the indirect pathway via the TRN is essential for organizing avoidance decisions through disinhibition. Our findings highlight intra-thalamic circuit dynamics that integrate cortical cognitive signals and their role in shaping complex behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Ma
- Section on the Neural Circuits of Emotion and Motivation, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, 221004, Xuzhou, China
| | - John J O'Malley
- Section on the Neural Circuits of Emotion and Motivation, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Malaz Kreiker
- Section on the Neural Circuits of Emotion and Motivation, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yan Leng
- Section on the Neural Circuits of Emotion and Motivation, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Isbah Khan
- Section on the Neural Circuits of Emotion and Motivation, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Morgan Kindel
- Section on the Neural Circuits of Emotion and Motivation, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mario A Penzo
- Section on the Neural Circuits of Emotion and Motivation, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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Marinescu AM, Labouesse MA. The nucleus accumbens shell: a neural hub at the interface of homeostatic and hedonic feeding. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1437210. [PMID: 39139500 PMCID: PMC11319282 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1437210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Feeding behavior is a complex physiological process regulated by the interplay between homeostatic and hedonic feeding circuits. Among the neural structures involved, the nucleus accumbens (NAc) has emerged as a pivotal region at the interface of these two circuits. The NAc comprises distinct subregions and in this review, we focus mainly on the NAc shell (NAcSh). Homeostatic feeding circuits, primarily found in the hypothalamus, ensure the organism's balance in energy and nutrient requirements. These circuits monitor peripheral signals, such as insulin, leptin, and ghrelin, and modulate satiety and hunger states. The NAcSh receives input from these homeostatic circuits, integrating information regarding the organism's metabolic needs. Conversely, so-called hedonic feeding circuits involve all other non-hunger and -satiety processes, i.e., the sensory information, associative learning, reward, motivation and pleasure associated with food consumption. The NAcSh is interconnected with hedonics-related structures like the ventral tegmental area and prefrontal cortex and plays a key role in encoding hedonic information related to palatable food seeking or consumption. In sum, the NAcSh acts as a crucial hub in feeding behavior, integrating signals from both homeostatic and hedonic circuits, to facilitate behavioral output via its downstream projections. Moreover, the NAcSh's involvement extends beyond simple integration, as it directly impacts actions related to food consumption. In this review, we first focus on delineating the inputs targeting the NAcSh; we then present NAcSh output projections to downstream structures. Finally we discuss how the NAcSh regulates feeding behavior and can be seen as a neural hub integrating homeostatic and hedonic feeding signals, via a functionally diverse set of projection neuron subpopulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina-Măriuca Marinescu
- Brain, Wire and Behavior Group, Translational Nutritional Biology Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marie A. Labouesse
- Brain, Wire and Behavior Group, Translational Nutritional Biology Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Suzuki Y, Kiyosawa M, Wakakura M, Ishii K. Hyperactivity of the medial thalamus in patients with photophobia-associated migraine. Headache 2024. [PMID: 39023425 DOI: 10.1111/head.14785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine cerebral functional alterations associated with sensory processing in patients with migraine and constant photophobia. BACKGROUND Migraine is a common headache disorder that presents with photophobia in many patients during attacks. Furthermore, some patients with migraine experience constant photophobia, even during headache-free intervals, leading to a compromised quality of life. METHODS This prospective, case-control study included 40 patients with migraine (18 male and 22 female) who were recruited at an eye hospital and eye clinic. The patients were divided into two groups: migraine with photophobia group, consisting of 22 patients (10 male and 12 female) with constant photophobia, and migraine without photophobia group, consisting of 18 patients (eight male and 10 female) without constant photophobia. We used 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose and positron emission tomography to compare cerebral glucose metabolism between the two patient groups and 42 healthy participants (16 men and 26 women). RESULTS Compared with the healthy group, both the migraine with photophobia and migraine without photophobia groups showed cerebral glucose hypermetabolism in the bilateral thalamus (p < 0.05, family-wise error-corrected). Moreover, the contrast of migraine with photophobia minus migraine without photophobia patients showed glucose hypermetabolism in the bilateral medial thalamus (p < 0.05, family-wise error-corrected). CONCLUSIONS The medial thalamus may be associated with the development of continuous photophobia in patients with migraine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukihisa Suzuki
- Japan Community Health Care Organization, Mishima General Hospital, Mishima, Shizuoka, Japan
- Research Team for Neuroimaging, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | - Kenji Ishii
- Research Team for Neuroimaging, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan
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Zamorina TA, Ivashkina OI, Toropova KA, Anokhin KV. Inhibition of Protein Synthesis Attenuates Formation of Traumatic Memory and Normalizes Fear-Induced c-Fos Expression in a Mouse Model of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6544. [PMID: 38928250 PMCID: PMC11204086 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating psychosomatic condition characterized by impairment of brain fear circuits and persistence of exceptionally strong associative memories resistant to extinction. In this study, we investigated the neural and behavioral consequences of inhibiting protein synthesis, a process known to suppress the formation of conventional aversive memories, in an established PTSD animal model based on contextual fear conditioning in mice. Control animals were subjected to the conventional fear conditioning task. Utilizing c-Fos neural activity mapping, we found that the retrieval of PTSD and normal aversive memories produced activation of an overlapping set of brain structures. However, several specific areas, such as the infralimbic cortex and the paraventricular thalamic nucleus, showed an increase in the PTSD group compared to the normal aversive memory group. Administration of protein synthesis inhibitor before PTSD induction disrupted the formation of traumatic memories, resulting in behavior that matched the behavior of mice with usual aversive memory. Concomitant with this behavioral shift was a normalization of brain c-Fos activation pattern matching the one observed in usual fear memory. Our findings demonstrate that inhibiting protein synthesis during traumatic experiences significantly impairs the development of PTSD in a mouse model. These data provide insights into the neural underpinnings of protein synthesis-dependent traumatic memory formation and open prospects for the development of new therapeutic strategies for PTSD prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatyana A. Zamorina
- Institute for Advanced Brain Studies, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (T.A.Z.); (O.I.I.); (K.A.T.)
- Faculty of Biology, Department of Higher Nervous Activity, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga I. Ivashkina
- Institute for Advanced Brain Studies, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (T.A.Z.); (O.I.I.); (K.A.T.)
- Laboratory of Neuronal Intelligence, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ksenia A. Toropova
- Institute for Advanced Brain Studies, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (T.A.Z.); (O.I.I.); (K.A.T.)
- Laboratory of Neuronal Intelligence, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Konstantin V. Anokhin
- Institute for Advanced Brain Studies, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (T.A.Z.); (O.I.I.); (K.A.T.)
- Laboratory of Neuronal Intelligence, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
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Zhang P, Mao Y, Gao L, Tian Z, Sun R, He Y, Ma P, Dou B, Chen Y, Zhang X, He Z, Yin T, Zeng F. Abnormal functional connectivity of the reward circuit associated with early satiety in patients with postprandial distress syndrome. Appetite 2024; 197:107317. [PMID: 38552365 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2024.107317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) is the most common functional dyspepsia (FD) subtype. Early satiety is one of the cardinal symptoms of the PDS subtype in FD patients. The heterogeneity of symptoms in FD patients hampered therapy for patients based on specific symptoms, necessitating a symptom-based understanding of the pathophysiology of FD. To investigate the correlation between reward circuit and symptom severity of PDS patients, seed (Nucleus accumbens, NAc, a key node in the reward circuit) based resting-state functional connectivity (FC) was applied in the neuroimaging data analysis. The results demonstrated that the patients with PDS manifested strengthened FC between NAc and the caudate, putamen, pallidum, amygdala, hippocampus, thalamus, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and insula. Moreover, the FC between NAc and ACC, insula, thalamus, and hippocampus exhibited significant positive associations with symptom severity. More importantly, the strengthened FC between NAc and the ACC, insula, amygdala, and hippocampus were found associated with the early satiety symptom of patients with PDS. This study indicated that the altered FC of reward circuit regions may play a role in the pathophysiology of patients with PDS, and some of the aberrant NAc-based FC within the reward circuit were more related to the early satiety of patients with PDS. These findings improve our symptom-based understanding of the central pathophysiology of FD, lay the groundwork for an objective diagnosis of FD, and shed light on the precise prescription for treating FD based on symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Zhang
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China; Acupuncture and Brain Science Research Center, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China; Key Laboratory of Acupuncture for Senile Disease (Chengdu University of TCM), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, 610075, China; Nervous System Disease Treatment Center, Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Meishan, Meishan, 620032, Sichuan, China
| | - Yangke Mao
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China; Acupuncture and Brain Science Research Center, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China; Key Laboratory of Acupuncture for Senile Disease (Chengdu University of TCM), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, 610075, China
| | - Liangchao Gao
- Department of Radiology, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Zilei Tian
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China; Acupuncture and Brain Science Research Center, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China; Key Laboratory of Acupuncture for Senile Disease (Chengdu University of TCM), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, 610075, China
| | - Ruirui Sun
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China; Acupuncture and Brain Science Research Center, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China; Key Laboratory of Acupuncture for Senile Disease (Chengdu University of TCM), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, 610075, China
| | - Yuqi He
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China; Acupuncture and Brain Science Research Center, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China; Key Laboratory of Acupuncture for Senile Disease (Chengdu University of TCM), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, 610075, China
| | - Peihong Ma
- Acupuncture and Brain Science Research Center, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China; School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Beihong Dou
- Department of Radiology, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Yuan Chen
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China
| | - Xiabing Zhang
- School of Intelligent Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China
| | - Zhaoxuan He
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China; Acupuncture and Brain Science Research Center, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China; Key Laboratory of Acupuncture for Senile Disease (Chengdu University of TCM), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, 610075, China.
| | - Tao Yin
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China; Acupuncture and Brain Science Research Center, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China; Key Laboratory of Acupuncture for Senile Disease (Chengdu University of TCM), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, 610075, China.
| | - Fang Zeng
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China; Acupuncture and Brain Science Research Center, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China; Key Laboratory of Acupuncture for Senile Disease (Chengdu University of TCM), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, 610075, China.
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9
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Beas S, Khan I, Gao C, Loewinger G, Macdonald E, Bashford A, Rodriguez-Gonzalez S, Pereira F, Penzo MA. Dissociable encoding of motivated behavior by parallel thalamo-striatal projections. Curr Biol 2024; 34:1549-1560.e3. [PMID: 38458192 PMCID: PMC11003833 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.02.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
The successful pursuit of goals requires the coordinated execution and termination of actions that lead to positive outcomes. This process relies on motivational states that are guided by internal drivers, such as hunger or fear. However, the mechanisms by which the brain tracks motivational states to shape instrumental actions are not fully understood. The paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) is a midline thalamic nucleus that shapes motivated behaviors via its projections to the nucleus accumbens (NAc)1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and monitors internal state via interoceptive inputs from the hypothalamus and brainstem.3,9,10,11,12,13,14 Recent studies indicate that the PVT can be subdivided into two major neuronal subpopulations, namely PVTD2(+) and PVTD2(-), which differ in genetic identity, functionality, and anatomical connectivity to other brain regions, including the NAc.4,15,16 In this study, we used fiber photometry to investigate the in vivo dynamics of these two distinct PVT neuronal types in mice performing a foraging-like behavioral task. We discovered that PVTD2(+) and PVTD2(-) neurons encode the execution and termination of goal-oriented actions, respectively. Furthermore, activity in the PVTD2(+) neuronal population mirrored motivation parameters such as vigor and satiety. Similarly, PVTD2(-) neurons also mirrored some of these parameters, but to a much lesser extent. Importantly, these features were largely preserved when activity in PVT projections to the NAc was selectively assessed. Collectively, our results highlight the existence of two parallel thalamo-striatal projections that participate in the dynamic regulation of goal pursuits and provide insight into the mechanisms by which the brain tracks motivational states to shape instrumental actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Beas
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | - Isbah Khan
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Claire Gao
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Gabriel Loewinger
- Machine Learning Team, National Institute of Mental Health, Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Emma Macdonald
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Alison Bashford
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Shakira Rodriguez-Gonzalez
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Francisco Pereira
- Machine Learning Team, National Institute of Mental Health, Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Mario A Penzo
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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10
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Zhang F, Wei Y, Weng R, Xu Q, Li R, Yu Y, Xu G. Paraventricular thalamus-insular cortex circuit mediates colorectal visceral pain induced by neonatal colonic inflammation in mice. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14534. [PMID: 37994678 PMCID: PMC11017444 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder, but its pathogenesis remains incompletely understood, particularly the involvements of central nervous system sensitization in colorectal visceral pain. Our study was to investigate whether the paraventricular thalamus (PVT) projected to the insular cortex (IC) to regulate colorectal visceral pain in neonatal colonic inflammation (NCI) mice and underlying mechanisms. METHODS We applied optogenetic, chemogenetic, or pharmacological approaches to manipulate the glutamatergicPVT-IC pathway. Fiber photometry was used to assess neuronal activity. Electromyography activities in response to colorectal distension (CRD) were measured to evaluate the colorectal visceral pain. RESULTS NCI enhanced c-Fos expression and calcium activity upon CRD in the ICGlu, and optogenetic manipulation of them altered colorectal visceral pain responses accordingly. Viral tracing indicated that the PVTGlu projected to the ICGlu. Optogenetic manipulation of PVTGlu changed colorectal visceral pain responses. Furthermore, selective optogenetic modulation of PVT projections in the IC influenced colorectal visceral pain, which was reversed by chemogenetic manipulation of downstream ICGlu. CONCLUSIONS This study identified a novel PVT-IC neural circuit playing a critical role in colorectal visceral pain in a mouse model of IBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu‐Chao Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and Institute of NeuroscienceSoochow UniversitySuzhouJiangsuP. R. China
| | - Ying‐Xue Wei
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and Institute of NeuroscienceSoochow UniversitySuzhouJiangsuP. R. China
| | - Rui‐Xia Weng
- Department of GastroenterologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouJiangsuP. R. China
| | - Qi‐Ya Xu
- Department of AnesthesiologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouJiangsuP. R. China
| | - Rui Li
- Department of GastroenterologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouJiangsuP. R. China
| | - Yang Yu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and Institute of NeuroscienceSoochow UniversitySuzhouJiangsuP. R. China
| | - Guang‐Yin Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and Institute of NeuroscienceSoochow UniversitySuzhouJiangsuP. R. China
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11
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Jaramillo JCM, Aitken CM, Lawrence AJ, Ryan PJ. Oxytocin-receptor-expressing neurons in the lateral parabrachial nucleus activate widespread brain regions predominantly involved in fluid satiation. J Chem Neuroanat 2024; 137:102403. [PMID: 38452468 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2024.102403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Fluid satiation is an important signal and aspect of body fluid homeostasis. Oxytocin-receptor-expressing neurons (OxtrPBN) in the dorsolateral subdivision of the lateral parabrachial nucleus (dl LPBN) are key neurons which regulate fluid satiation. In the present study, we investigated brain regions activated by stimulation of OxtrPBN neurons in order to better characterise the fluid satiation neurocircuitry in mice. Chemogenetic activation of OxtrPBN neurons increased Fos expression (a proxy marker for neuronal activation) in known fluid-regulating brain nuclei, as well as other regions that have unclear links to fluid regulation and which are likely involved in regulating other functions such as arousal and stress relief. In addition, we analysed and compared Fos expression patterns between chemogenetically-activated fluid satiation and physiological-induced fluid satiation. Both models of fluid satiation activated similar brain regions, suggesting that the chemogenetic model of stimulating OxtrPBN neurons is a relevant model of physiological fluid satiation. A deeper understanding of this neural circuit may lead to novel molecular targets and creation of therapeutic agents to treat fluid-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine C M Jaramillo
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; The Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Connor M Aitken
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; The Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew J Lawrence
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; The Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Philip J Ryan
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; The Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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12
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Ardinger CE, Chen Y, Kimbrough A, Grahame NJ, Lapish CC. Sex Differences in Neural Networks Recruited by Frontloaded Binge Alcohol Drinking. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.08.579387. [PMID: 38370732 PMCID: PMC10871329 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.08.579387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Frontloading is an alcohol drinking pattern where intake is skewed toward the onset of access. The goal of the current study was to identify brain regions involved in frontloading. Whole brain imaging was performed in 63 C57Bl/6J (32 female and 31 male) mice that underwent 8 days of binge drinking using the drinking-in-the-dark (DID) model. On days 1-7, three hours into the dark cycle, mice received 20% (v/v) alcohol or water for two hours. Intake was measured in 1-minute bins using volumetric sippers, which facilitated analyses of drinking patterns. On day 8 mice were perfused 80 minutes into the DID session and brains were extracted. Brains were then processed to stain for Fos protein using iDISCO+. Following light sheet imaging, ClearMap2.1 was used to register brains to the Allen Brain Atlas and detect Fos+ cells. For brain network analyses, day 8 drinking patterns were used to characterize mice as frontloaders or non-frontloaders using a recently developed change-point analysis. Based on this analysis the groups were female frontloaders (n = 20), female non-frontloaders (n = 2), male frontloaders (n = 13) and male non-frontloaders (n = 8). There were no differences in total alcohol intake in animals that frontloaded versus those that did not. Only two female mice were characterized as non-frontloaders, thus preventing brain network analysis of this group. Functional correlation matrices were calculated for each group from log10 Fos values. Euclidean distances were calculated from these R values and hierarchical clustering was used to determine modules (highly connected groups of brain regions). In males, alcohol access decreased modularity (3 modules in both frontloaders and non-frontloaders) as compared to water drinkers (7 modules). In females, an opposite effect was observed. Alcohol access (9 modules for frontloaders) increased modularity as compared to water drinkers (5 modules). These results suggest sex differences in how alcohol consumption reorganizes the functional architecture of neural networks. Next, key brain regions in each network were identified. Connector hubs, which primarily facilitate communication between modules, and provincial hubs, which facilitate communication within modules, were of specific interest for their important and differing roles. In males, 4 connector hubs and 17 provincial hubs were uniquely identified in frontloaders (i.e., were brain regions that did not have this status in male non-frontloaders or water drinkers). These represented a group of hindbrain regions (e.g., locus coeruleus and the pontine gray) functionally connected to striatal/cortical regions (e.g., cortical amygdalar area) by the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus. In females, 16 connector and 17 provincial hubs were uniquely identified which were distributed across 8 of the 9 modules in the female frontloader alcohol drinker network. Only one brain region (the nucleus raphe pontis) was a connector hub in both sexes, suggesting that frontloading in males and females may be driven by different brain regions. In conclusion, alcohol consumption led to fewer, but more densely connected, groups of brain regions in males but not females, and recruited different hub brain regions between the sexes. These results suggest that alcohol frontloading leads to a reduction in network efficiency in male mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cherish E Ardinger
- Addiction Neuroscience, Department of Psychology and Indiana Alcohol Research Center, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Yueyi Chen
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
| | - Adam Kimbrough
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
- Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology, and Infectious Disease, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
| | - Nicholas J Grahame
- Addiction Neuroscience, Department of Psychology and Indiana Alcohol Research Center, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Christopher C Lapish
- Addiction Neuroscience, Department of Psychology and Indiana Alcohol Research Center, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN
- Stark Neuroscience Research Institute, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN
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13
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McDevitt DS, Wade QW, McKendrick GE, Nelsen J, Starostina M, Tran N, Blendy JA, Graziane NM. The Paraventricular Thalamic Nucleus and Its Projections in Regulating Reward and Context Associations. eNeuro 2024; 11:ENEURO.0524-23.2024. [PMID: 38351131 PMCID: PMC10883411 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0524-23.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The paraventricular thalamic nucleus (PVT) is a brain region that mediates aversive and reward-related behaviors as shown in animals exposed to fear conditioning, natural rewards, or drugs of abuse. However, it is unknown whether manipulations of the PVT, in the absence of external factors or stimuli (e.g., fear, natural rewards, or drugs of abuse), are sufficient to drive reward-related behaviors. Additionally, it is unknown whether drugs of abuse administered directly into the PVT are sufficient to drive reward-related behaviors. Here, using behavioral as well as pathway and cell-type specific approaches, we manipulate PVT activity as well as the PVT-to-nucleus accumbens shell (NAcSh) neurocircuit to explore reward phenotypes. First, we show that bath perfusion of morphine (10 µM) caused hyperpolarization of the resting membrane potential, increased rheobase, and decreased intrinsic membrane excitability in PVT neurons that project to the NAcSh. Additionally, we found that direct injections of morphine (50 ng) in the PVT of mice were sufficient to generate conditioned place preference (CPP) for the morphine-paired chamber. Mimicking the inhibitory effect of morphine, we employed a chemogenetic approach to inhibit PVT neurons that projected to the NAcSh and found that pairing the inhibition of these PVT neurons with a specific context evoked the acquisition of CPP. Lastly, using brain slice electrophysiology, we found that bath-perfused morphine (10 µM) significantly reduced PVT excitatory synaptic transmission on both dopamine D1 and D2 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons in the NAcSh, but that inhibiting PVT afferents in the NAcSh was not sufficient to evoke CPP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dillon S McDevitt
- Neuroscience Program, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033
| | - Quinn W Wade
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033
| | - Greer E McKendrick
- Neuroscience Program, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033
| | - Jacob Nelsen
- Doctor of Medicine Program, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033
| | - Mariya Starostina
- Doctor of Medicine Program, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033
| | - Nam Tran
- Doctor of Medicine Program, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033
| | - Julie A Blendy
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Nicholas M Graziane
- Departments of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine and Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033
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14
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Li SH, Li S, Kirouac GJ. Analysis of Monosynaptic Inputs to Thalamic Paraventricular Nucleus Neurons Innervating the Shell of the Nucleus Accumbens and Central Extended Amygdala. Neuroscience 2024; 537:151-164. [PMID: 38056620 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.11.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
The paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) sends dense projections to the shell of the nucleus accumbens (NAcSh), dorsolateral region of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BSTDL) and the lateral region of central nucleus of the amygdala (CeL). Projection specific modulation of these pathways has been shown to regulate appetitive and aversive behavioral responses. The present investigation applied an intersectional monosynaptic rabies tracing approach to quantify the brain-wide sources of afferent input to PVT neurons that primarily project to the NAcSh, BSTDL and CeL. The results demonstrate that these projection neurons receive monosynaptic input from similar brain regions. The prefrontal cortex and the ventral subiculum of the hippocampus were major sources of input to the PVT projection neurons. In addition, the lateral septal nucleus, thalamic reticular nucleus and the hypothalamic medial preoptic area, dorsomedial, ventromedial, and arcuate nuclei were sources of input. The subfornical organ, parasubthalamic nucleus, periaqueductal gray matter, lateral parabrachial nucleus, and nucleus of the solitary tract were consistent but lesser sources of input. This input-output relationship is consistent with recent observations that PVT neurons have axons that bifurcate extensively to divergently innervate the NAcSh, BSTDL and CeL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Hong Li
- Department of Oral Biology, Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0W2, Canada
| | - Sa Li
- Department of Oral Biology, Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0W2, Canada
| | - Gilbert J Kirouac
- Department of Oral Biology, Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0W2, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0W2, Canada.
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15
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Beas S, Khan I, Gao C, Loewinger G, Macdonald E, Bashford A, Rodriguez-Gonzalez S, Pereira F, Penzo MA. Dissociable encoding of motivated behavior by parallel thalamo-striatal projections. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.07.07.548113. [PMID: 37781624 PMCID: PMC10541145 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.07.548113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
The successful pursuit of goals requires the coordinated execution and termination of actions that lead to positive outcomes. This process is thought to rely on motivational states that are guided by internal drivers, such as hunger or fear. However, the mechanisms by which the brain tracks motivational states to shape instrumental actions are not fully understood. The paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) is a midline thalamic nucleus that shapes motivated behaviors via its projections to the nucleus accumbens (NAc)1-8 and monitors internal state via interoceptive inputs from the hypothalamus and brainstem3,9-14. Recent studies indicate that the PVT can be subdivided into two major neuronal subpopulations, namely PVTD2(+) and PVTD2(-), which differ in genetic identity, functionality, and anatomical connectivity to other brain regions, including the NAc4,15,16. In this study, we used fiber photometry to investigate the in vivo dynamics of these two distinct PVT neuronal types in mice performing a reward foraging-like behavioral task. We discovered that PVTD2(+) and PVTD2(-) neurons encode the execution and termination of goal-oriented actions, respectively. Furthermore, activity in the PVTD2(+) neuronal population mirrored motivation parameters such as vigor and satiety. Similarly, PVTD2(-) neurons, also mirrored some of these parameters but to a much lesser extent. Importantly, these features were largely preserved when activity in PVT projections to the NAc was selectively assessed. Collectively, our results highlight the existence of two parallel thalamo-striatal projections that participate in the dynamic regulation of goal pursuits and provide insight into the mechanisms by which the brain tracks motivational states to shape instrumental actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Beas
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Isbah Khan
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Claire Gao
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Gabriel Loewinger
- Machine Learning Team, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Emma Macdonald
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Alison Bashford
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Francisco Pereira
- Machine Learning Team, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mario A. Penzo
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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16
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Xie M, Huang Y, Cai W, Zhang B, Huang H, Li Q, Qin P, Han J. Neurobiological Underpinnings of Hyperarousal in Depression: A Comprehensive Review. Brain Sci 2024; 14:50. [PMID: 38248265 PMCID: PMC10813043 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14010050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) exhibit an abnormal physiological arousal pattern known as hyperarousal, which may contribute to their depressive symptoms. However, the neurobiological mechanisms linking this abnormal arousal to depressive symptoms are not yet fully understood. In this review, we summarize the physiological and neural features of arousal, and review the literature indicating abnormal arousal in depressed patients. Evidence suggests that a hyperarousal state in depression is characterized by abnormalities in sleep behavior, physiological (e.g., heart rate, skin conductance, pupil diameter) and electroencephalography (EEG) features, and altered activity in subcortical (e.g., hypothalamus and locus coeruleus) and cortical regions. While recent studies highlight the importance of subcortical-cortical interactions in arousal, few have explored the relationship between subcortical-cortical interactions and hyperarousal in depressed patients. This gap limits our understanding of the neural mechanism through which hyperarousal affects depressive symptoms, which involves various cognitive processes and the cerebral cortex. Based on the current literature, we propose that the hyperconnectivity in the thalamocortical circuit may contribute to both the hyperarousal pattern and depressive symptoms. Future research should investigate the relationship between thalamocortical connections and abnormal arousal in depression, and explore its implications for non-invasive treatments for depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Musi Xie
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China; (M.X.); (Y.H.)
| | - Ying Huang
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China; (M.X.); (Y.H.)
| | - Wendan Cai
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China; (W.C.); (B.Z.); (H.H.)
| | - Bingqi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China; (W.C.); (B.Z.); (H.H.)
| | - Haonan Huang
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China; (W.C.); (B.Z.); (H.H.)
| | - Qingwei Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China;
| | - Pengmin Qin
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China; (M.X.); (Y.H.)
- Pazhou Laboratory, Guangzhou 510330, China
| | - Junrong Han
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China; (W.C.); (B.Z.); (H.H.)
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17
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Cheron J, Beccari L, Hagué P, Icick R, Despontin C, Carusone T, Defrance M, Bhogaraju S, Martin-Garcia E, Capellan R, Maldonado R, Vorspan F, Bonnefont J, de Kerchove d'Exaerde A. USP7/Maged1-mediated H2A monoubiquitination in the paraventricular thalamus: an epigenetic mechanism involved in cocaine use disorder. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8481. [PMID: 38123574 PMCID: PMC10733359 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44120-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The risk of developing drug addiction is strongly influenced by the epigenetic landscape and chromatin remodeling. While histone modifications such as methylation and acetylation have been studied in the ventral tegmental area and nucleus accumbens (NAc), the role of H2A monoubiquitination remains unknown. Our investigations, initially focused on the scaffold protein melanoma-associated antigen D1 (Maged1), reveal that H2A monoubiquitination in the paraventricular thalamus (PVT) significantly contributes to cocaine-adaptive behaviors and transcriptional repression induced by cocaine. Chronic cocaine use increases H2A monoubiquitination, regulated by Maged1 and its partner USP7. Accordingly, Maged1 specific inactivation in thalamic Vglut2 neurons, or USP7 inhibition, blocks cocaine-evoked H2A monoubiquitination and cocaine locomotor sensitization. Additionally, genetic variations in MAGED1 and USP7 are linked to altered susceptibility to cocaine addiction and cocaine-associated symptoms in humans. These findings unveil an epigenetic modification in a non-canonical reward pathway of the brain and a potent marker of epigenetic risk factors for drug addiction in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Cheron
- Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), ULB Neuroscience Institute, Neurophysiology Laboratory, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Leonardo Beccari
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Madrid, Spain
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Pathophysiology and Genetics of Neuron and Muscle, CNRS UMR 5261, INSERM U1315, Lyon, France
| | - Perrine Hagué
- Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), ULB Neuroscience Institute, Neurophysiology Laboratory, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Romain Icick
- INSERM UMRS_1144, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Chloé Despontin
- Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), ULB Neuroscience Institute, Neurophysiology Laboratory, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Matthieu Defrance
- Interuniversity Institute of Bioinformatics in Brussels, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Elena Martin-Garcia
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology-Neurophar, Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Psicobiologia i Metodologia de les Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roberto Capellan
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology-Neurophar, Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael Maldonado
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology-Neurophar, Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Jérôme Bonnefont
- Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), ULB Neuroscience Institute, Institut de Recherches en Biologie Humaine et Moléculaire (IRIBHM), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Alban de Kerchove d'Exaerde
- Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), ULB Neuroscience Institute, Neurophysiology Laboratory, Brussels, Belgium.
- WELBIO, Wavre, Belgium.
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18
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Kesner AJ, Mozaffarilegha M, Thirtamara Rajamani K, Arima Y, Harony-Nicolas H, Hashimotodani Y, Ito HT, Song J, Ikemoto S. Hypothalamic Supramammillary Control of Cognition and Motivation. J Neurosci 2023; 43:7538-7546. [PMID: 37940587 PMCID: PMC10634554 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1320-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The supramammillary nucleus (SuM) is a small region in the ventromedial posterior hypothalamus. The SuM has been relatively understudied with much of the prior focus being on its connection with septo-hippocampal circuitry. Thus, most studies conducted until the 21st century examined its role in hippocampal processes, such as theta rhythm and learning/memory. In recent years, the SuM has been "rediscovered" as a crucial hub for several behavioral and cognitive processes, including reward-seeking, exploration, and social memory. Additionally, it has been shown to play significant roles in hippocampal plasticity and adult neurogenesis. This review highlights findings from recent studies using cutting-edge systems neuroscience tools that have shed light on these fascinating roles for the SuM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Kesner
- Unit on Motivation and Arousal, Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | | | - Keerthi Thirtamara Rajamani
- Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10021
| | - Yosuke Arima
- Neurocircuitry of Motivation Section, Behavioral Neuroscience Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21224
- Center on Compulsive Behaviors, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20894
| | - Hala Harony-Nicolas
- Department of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Friedman Brain Institute, Mindich Child Health and Development Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029
| | - Yuki Hashimotodani
- Graduate School of Brain Science, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe, Kyoto Japan 610-0394
| | - Hiroshi T Ito
- Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Frankfurt am Main, Germany 60438
| | - Juan Song
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Satoshi Ikemoto
- Neurocircuitry of Motivation Section, Behavioral Neuroscience Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21224
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19
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Shima Y, Skibbe H, Sasagawa Y, Fujimori N, Iwayama Y, Isomura-Matoba A, Yano M, Ichikawa T, Nikaido I, Hattori N, Kato T. Distinctiveness and continuity in transcriptome and connectivity in the anterior-posterior axis of the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113309. [PMID: 37862168 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) projects axons to multiple areas, mediates a wide range of behaviors, and exhibits regional heterogeneity in both functions and axonal projections. Still, questions regarding the cell types present in the PVT and the extent of their differences remain inadequately addressed. We applied single-cell RNA sequencing to depict the transcriptomic characteristics of mouse PVT neurons. We found that one of the most significant variances in the PVT transcriptome corresponded to the anterior-posterior axis. While the single-cell transcriptome classified PVT neurons into five types, our transcriptomic and histological analyses showed continuity among the cell types. We discovered that anterior and posterior subpopulations had nearly non-overlapping projection patterns, while another population showed intermediate patterns. In addition, these subpopulations responded differently to appetite-related neuropeptides, with their activation showing opposing effects on food consumption. Our studies unveiled the contrasts and the continuity of PVT neurons that underpin their function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuyuki Shima
- Neurodegenerative Disorders Collaborative Laboratory, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Laboratory of Molecular Dynamics of Mental Disorders, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan.
| | - Henrik Skibbe
- Brain Image Analysis Unit, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Yohei Sasagawa
- Laboratory for Bioinformatics Research, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Department of Functional Genome Informatics, Division of Biological Data Science, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Hongo, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan
| | - Noriko Fujimori
- Laboratory of Molecular Dynamics of Mental Disorders, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Support Unit for Bio-Material Analysis, Research Resource Division, Center for Brain Science, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Yoshimi Iwayama
- Laboratory for Bioinformatics Research, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Department of Functional Genome Informatics, Division of Biological Data Science, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Hongo, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan
| | - Ayako Isomura-Matoba
- Laboratory for Bioinformatics Research, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Minoru Yano
- Department of Functional Genome Informatics, Division of Biological Data Science, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Hongo, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan
| | - Takumi Ichikawa
- Laboratory for Bioinformatics Research, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Department of Functional Genome Informatics, Division of Biological Data Science, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Hongo, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan
| | - Itoshi Nikaido
- Laboratory for Bioinformatics Research, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Department of Functional Genome Informatics, Division of Biological Data Science, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Hongo, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan
| | - Nobutaka Hattori
- Neurodegenerative Disorders Collaborative Laboratory, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Department of Neurology, Juntendo University, Hongo, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Tadafumi Kato
- Laboratory of Molecular Dynamics of Mental Disorders, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Department of Psychiatry, Juntendo University, Hongo, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; Department of Molecular Pathology of Mood Disorders, Juntendo University, Hongo, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan.
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20
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Acsády L, Mátyás F. Several ways to wake you up by the thalamus. Neuron 2023; 111:3140-3142. [PMID: 37857089 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
An organism can be aroused in many different manners. Here, Wang el al.1 demonstrate that a multisensory thalamic region can mediate spontaneous, sensory, and defensive arousal via its widespread projection, which indicates a non-canonical function of this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- László Acsády
- Laboratory of Thalamus Research, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Ferenc Mátyás
- Laboratory of Neuronal Network and Behavior, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
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21
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Engelen T, Solcà M, Tallon-Baudry C. Interoceptive rhythms in the brain. Nat Neurosci 2023; 26:1670-1684. [PMID: 37697110 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01425-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Sensing internal bodily signals, or interoception, is fundamental to maintain life. However, interoception should not be viewed as an isolated domain, as it interacts with exteroception, cognition and action to ensure the integrity of the organism. Focusing on cardiac, respiratory and gastric rhythms, we review evidence that interoception is anatomically and functionally intertwined with the processing of signals from the external environment. Interactions arise at all stages, from the peripheral transduction of interoceptive signals to sensory processing and cortical integration, in a network that extends beyond core interoceptive regions. Interoceptive rhythms contribute to functions ranging from perceptual detection up to sense of self, or conversely compete with external inputs. Renewed interest in interoception revives long-standing issues on how the brain integrates and coordinates information in distributed regions, by means of oscillatory synchrony, predictive coding or multisensory integration. Considering interoception and exteroception in the same framework paves the way for biological modes of information processing specific to living organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahnée Engelen
- Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience Laboratory, Inserm, Ecole Normale Supérieure PSL University, Paris, France
| | - Marco Solcà
- Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience Laboratory, Inserm, Ecole Normale Supérieure PSL University, Paris, France
| | - Catherine Tallon-Baudry
- Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience Laboratory, Inserm, Ecole Normale Supérieure PSL University, Paris, France.
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22
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Cho D, O'Berry K, Possa-Paranhos IC, Butts J, Palanikumar N, Sweeney P. Paraventricular Thalamic MC3R Circuits Link Energy Homeostasis with Anxiety-Related Behavior. J Neurosci 2023; 43:6280-6296. [PMID: 37591737 PMCID: PMC10490510 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0704-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The hypothalamic melanocortin system is critically involved in sensing stored energy and communicating this information throughout the brain, including to brain regions controlling motivation and emotion. This system consists of first-order agouti-related peptide (AgRP) and pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons located in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus and downstream neurons containing the melanocortin-3 (MC3R) and melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R). Although extensive work has characterized the function of downstream MC4R neurons, the identity and function of MC3R-containing neurons are poorly understood. Here, we used neuroanatomical and circuit manipulation approaches in mice to identify a novel pathway linking hypothalamic melanocortin neurons to melanocortin-3 receptor neurons located in the paraventricular thalamus (PVT) in male and female mice. MC3R neurons in PVT are innervated by hypothalamic AgRP and POMC neurons and are activated by anorexigenic and aversive stimuli. Consistently, chemogenetic activation of PVT MC3R neurons increases anxiety-related behavior and reduces feeding in hungry mice, whereas inhibition of PVT MC3R neurons reduces anxiety-related behavior. These studies position PVT MC3R neurons as important cellular substrates linking energy status with neural circuitry regulating anxiety-related behavior and represent a promising potential target for diseases at the intersection of metabolism and anxiety-related behavior such as anorexia nervosa.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Animals must constantly adapt their behavior to changing internal and external challenges, and impairments in appropriately responding to these challenges are a hallmark of many neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we demonstrate that paraventricular thalamic neurons containing the melanocortin-3 receptor respond to energy-state-related information and external challenges to regulate anxiety-related behavior in mice. Thus, these neurons represent a potential target for understanding the neurobiology of disorders at the intersection of metabolism and psychiatry such as anorexia nervosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dajin Cho
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - Kyle O'Berry
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - Ingrid Camila Possa-Paranhos
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - Jared Butts
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - Naraen Palanikumar
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - Patrick Sweeney
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
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23
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Rivera-Irizarry JK, Hámor PU, Rowson SA, Asfouri J, Liu D, Zallar LJ, Garcia AF, Skelly MJ, Pleil KE. Valence and salience encoding by parallel circuits from the paraventricular thalamus to the nucleus accumbens. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.03.547570. [PMID: 37461604 PMCID: PMC10349961 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.03.547570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
The anterior and posterior subregions of the paraventricular thalamus (aPVT and pPVT, respectively) play unique roles in learned behaviors, from fear conditioning to alcohol/drug intake, potentially through differentially organized projections to limbic brain regions including the nucleus accumbens medial shell (mNAcSh). Here, we found that the aPVT projects broadly to the mNAcSh and that the aPVT-mNAcSh circuit encodes positive valence, such that in vivo manipulations of the circuit modulated both innately programmed and learned behavioral responses to positively and negatively valenced stimuli, particularly in females. Further, the endogenous activity of aPVT presynaptic terminals in the mNAcSh was greater in response to positively than negatively valenced stimuli, and the probability of synaptic glutamate release from aPVT neurons in the mNAcSh was higher in females than males. In contrast, we found that the pPVT-mNAcSh circuit encodes stimulus salience regardless of valence. While pPVT-mNAcSh circuit inhibition suppressed behavioral responses in both sexes, circuit activation increased behavioral responses to stimuli only in males. Our results point to circuit-specific stimulus feature encoding by parallel PVT-mNAcSh circuits that have sex-dependent biases in organization and function.
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24
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Lim KY, Hong W. Neural mechanisms of comforting: Prosocial touch and stress buffering. Horm Behav 2023; 153:105391. [PMID: 37301130 PMCID: PMC10853048 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Comforting is a crucial form of prosocial behavior that is important for maintaining social unity and improving the physical and emotional well-being of social species. It is often expressed through affiliative social touch toward someone in distress, providing relief for their distressed state. In the face of increasing global distress, these actions are paramount to the continued improvement of individual welfare and the collective good. Understanding the neural mechanisms responsible for promoting actions focused on benefitting others is particularly important and timely. Here, we review prosocial comforting behavior, emphasizing synthesizing recent studies carried out using rodent models. We discuss its underlying behavioral expression and motivations, and then explore both the neurobiology of prosocial comforting in a helper animal and the neurobiology of stress relief following social touch in a recipient as part of a feedback loop interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla Y Lim
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Weizhe Hong
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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25
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Nguyen R, Koukoutselos K, Forro T, Ciocchi S. Fear extinction relies on ventral hippocampal safety codes shaped by the amygdala. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg4881. [PMID: 37256958 PMCID: PMC10413664 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg4881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Extinction memory retrieval is influenced by spatial contextual information that determines responding to conditioned stimuli (CS). However, it is poorly understood whether contextual representations are imbued with emotional values to support memory selection. Here, we performed activity-dependent engram tagging and in vivo single-unit electrophysiological recordings from the ventral hippocampus (vH) while optogenetically manipulating basolateral amygdala (BLA) inputs during the formation of cued fear extinction memory. During fear extinction when CS acquire safety properties, we found that CS-related activity in the vH reactivated during sleep consolidation and was strengthened upon memory retrieval. Moreover, fear extinction memory was facilitated when the extinction context exhibited precise coding of its affective zones. Last, these activity patterns along with the retrieval of the fear extinction memory were dependent on glutamatergic transmission from the BLA during extinction learning. Thus, fear extinction memory relies on the formation of contextual and stimulus safety representations in the vH instructed by the BLA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Thomas Forro
- Laboratory of Systems Neuroscience, Department of Physiology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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26
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Smith-Osborne L, Duong A, Resendez A, Palme R, Fadok JP. Female dominance hierarchies influence responses to psychosocial stressors. Curr Biol 2023; 33:1535-1549.e5. [PMID: 37003262 PMCID: PMC10321215 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Social species form dominance hierarchies to ensure survival and promote reproductive success. Traditionally studied in males, rodent hierarchies are considered despotic, and dominant social rank results from a history of winning agonistic encounters. By contrast, female hierarchies are thought to be less despotic, and rank is conferred by intrinsic traits. Both social buffering and elevated social status confer resilience to depression, anxiety, and other consequences of chronic stress. Here, we investigate whether female social hierarchies and individual traits related to social rank likewise influence stress resilience. We observe the formation of dyadic female hierarchies under varying conditions of ambient light and circadian phase and subject mice to two forms of chronic psychosocial stress: social isolation or social instability. We find that stable female hierarchies emerge rapidly in dyads. Individual behavioral and endocrinological traits are characteristic of rank, some of which are circadian phase dependent. Further, female social rank is predicted by behavior and stress status prior to social introduction. Other behavioral characteristics suggest that rank is motivation-based, indicating that female rank identity serves an evolutionarily relevant purpose. Rank is associated with alterations in behavior in response to social instability stress and prolonged social isolation, but the different forms of stress produce disparate rank responses in endocrine status. Histological examination of c-Fos protein expression identified brain regions that respond to social novelty or social reunion following chronic isolation in a rank-specific manner. Collectively, female rank is linked to neurobiology, and hierarchies exert context-specific influence upon stress outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Smith-Osborne
- Department of Psychology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA; Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, LA 70433, USA.
| | - Anh Duong
- Department of Psychology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA; Neuroscience Program, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
| | - Alexis Resendez
- Department of Psychology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA; Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
| | - Rupert Palme
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Jonathan P Fadok
- Department of Psychology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA; Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA.
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27
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Venkataraman A, Dias BG. Expanding the canon: An inclusive neurobiology of thalamic and subthalamic fear circuits. Neuropharmacology 2023; 226:109380. [PMID: 36572176 PMCID: PMC9984284 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Appropriate expression of fear in the face of threats in the environment is essential for survival. The sustained expression of fear in the absence of threat signals is a central pathological feature of trauma- and anxiety-related disorders. Our understanding of the neural circuitry that controls fear inhibition coalesces around the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. By discussing thalamic and sub-thalamic influences on fear-related learning and expression in this review, we suggest a more inclusive neurobiological framework that expands our canonical view of fear. First, we visit how fear-related learning and expression is influenced by the aforementioned canonical brain regions. Next, we review emerging data that shed light on new roles for thalamic and subthalamic nuclei in fear-related learning and expression. Then, we highlight how these neuroanatomical hubs can modulate fear via integration of sensory and salient stimuli, gating information flow and calibrating behavioral responses, as well as maintaining and updating memory representations. Finally, we propose that the presence of this thalamic and sub-thalamic neuroanatomy in parallel with the tripartite prefrontal cortex-amygdala-hippocampus circuit allows for dynamic modulation of information based on interoceptive and exteroceptive signals. This article is part of the Special Issue on "Fear, Anxiety and PTSD".
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Affiliation(s)
- Archana Venkataraman
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Pharmacology, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Brian George Dias
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA, United States; Division of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States; Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics Program, The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
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28
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Gao C, Gohel CA, Leng Y, Ma J, Goldman D, Levine AJ, Penzo MA. Molecular and spatial profiling of the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus. eLife 2023; 12:81818. [PMID: 36867023 PMCID: PMC10014079 DOI: 10.7554/elife.81818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) is known to regulate various cognitive and behavioral processes. However, while functional diversity among PVT circuits has often been linked to cellular differences, the molecular identity and spatial distribution of PVT cell types remain unclear. To address this gap, here we used single nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) and identified five molecularly distinct PVT neuronal subtypes in the mouse brain. Additionally, multiplex fluorescent in situ hybridization of top marker genes revealed that PVT subtypes are organized by a combination of previously unidentified molecular gradients. Lastly, comparing our dataset with a recently published single-cell sequencing atlas of the thalamus yielded novel insight into the PVT's connectivity with the cortex, including unexpected innervation of auditory and visual areas. This comparison also revealed that our data contains a largely non-overlapping transcriptomic map of multiple midline thalamic nuclei. Collectively, our findings uncover previously unknown features of the molecular diversity and anatomical organization of the PVT and provide a valuable resource for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Gao
- National Institute of Mental HealthBethesdaUnited States
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown UniversityProvidenceUnited States
| | - Chiraag A Gohel
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and AlcoholismRockvilleUnited States
| | - Yan Leng
- National Institute of Mental HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Jun Ma
- National Institute of Mental HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - David Goldman
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and AlcoholismRockvilleUnited States
| | - Ariel J Levine
- National Institute of Child Health and Human DevelopmentBethesdaUnited States
| | - Mario A Penzo
- National Institute of Mental HealthBethesdaUnited States
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29
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Wang YL, Wang L, Xu W, He M, Dong H, Shi HY, Chen YQ, Huang ZL. Paraventricular thalamus controls consciousness transitions during propofol anaesthesia in mice. Br J Anaesth 2023; 130:698-708. [PMID: 36828739 DOI: 10.1016/j.bja.2023.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The neuronal mechanisms underlying propofol-induced modulation of consciousness are poorly understood. Neuroimaging studies suggest a potential role for non-specific thalamic nuclei in propofol-induced loss of consciousness. We investigated the contribution of the paraventricular thalamus (PVT), a midline thalamic nucleus that has been implicated in arousal control and general anaesthesia with inhaled anaesthetics, to loss and recovery of consciousness during propofol anaesthesia. METHODS Polysomnographic recordings and righting reflex test were used to determine the transitions of loss and recovery of righting reflex, used as a measure of consciousness in mice, during propofol anaesthesia in mice under conditions mimicking clinical propofol administration. PVT neuronal activities were monitored using fibre photometry and regulated using optogenetic and chemogenetic methods. RESULTS Population activities of PVT glutamatergic neurones began to decrease before propofol-induced loss of consciousness and rapidly increased to a peak at the onset of recovery of consciousness. Chemogenetic inhibition of PVT calretinin-expressing (PVTCR) neurones shortened onset (from 176 [35] to 127 [26] s; P=0.001) and prolonged return (from 1568 [611] to 3126 [1616] s; P=0.002) of righting reflex. Conversely, chemogenetic activation of PVTCR neurones exerted opposite effects. Furthermore, optogenetic silencing of PVTCR neurones accelerated transitions to loss of consciousness (from 205 [35] to 158 [44] s; P=0.027) and slowed transitions to recovery of consciousness (from 230 [78] to 370 [99] s; P=0.041). During a steady period of unconsciousness maintained with continuous propofol infusion, brief optical activation of PVTCR neurones restored cortical activity and arousal with a latency of about 5 s. CONCLUSIONS The paraventricular thalamus contributes to the control of consciousness transitions in propofol anaesthesia in mice. This provides a potential neuroanatomical target for controlling consciousness to reduce anaesthetic dose requirements and side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Long Wang
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Yijishan Hospital, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China; Department of Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Miao He
- Department of Neurology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Dong
- Department of Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huan-Ying Shi
- Department of Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong-Quan Chen
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Yijishan Hospital, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China.
| | - Zhi-Li Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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Wu FL, Chen SH, Li JN, Zhao LJ, Wu XM, Hong J, Zhu KH, Sun HX, Shi SJ, Mao E, Zang WD, Cao J, Kou ZZ, Li YQ. Projections from the Rostral Zona Incerta to the Thalamic Paraventricular Nucleus Mediate Nociceptive Neurotransmission in Mice. Metabolites 2023; 13:metabo13020226. [PMID: 36837844 PMCID: PMC9966812 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13020226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Zona incerta (ZI) is an integrative subthalamic region in nociceptive neurotransmission. Previous studies demonstrated that the rostral ZI (ZIR) is an important gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic (GABAergic) source to the thalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVT), but whether the ZIR-PVT pathway participates in nociceptive modulation is still unclear. Therefore, our investigation utilized anatomical tracing, fiber photometry, chemogenetic, optogenetic and local pharmacological approaches to investigate the roles of the ZIRGABA+-PVT pathway in nociceptive neurotransmission in mice. We found that projections from the GABAergic neurons in ZIR to PVT were involved in nociceptive neurotransmission. Furthermore, chemogenetic and optogenetic activation of the ZIRGABA+-PVT pathway alleviates pain, whereas inhibiting the activities of the ZIRGABA+-PVT circuit induces mechanical hypersensitivity and partial heat hyperalgesia. Importantly, in vivo pharmacology combined with optogenetics revealed that the GABA-A receptor (GABAAR) is crucial for GABAergic inhibition from ZIR to PVT. Our data suggest that the ZIRGABA+-PVT pathway acts through GABAAR-expressing glutamatergic neurons in PVT mediates nociceptive neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng-Ling Wu
- Department of Human Anatomy, College of Preclinical Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology and K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
| | - Si-Hai Chen
- Department of Human Anatomy, College of Preclinical Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology and K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
| | - Jia-Ni Li
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology and K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
| | - Liu-Jie Zhao
- Department of Human Anatomy, College of Preclinical Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology and K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
| | - Xue-Mei Wu
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology and K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
- Department of Human Anatomy, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Jie Hong
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology and K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
- Department of Human Anatomy, Baotou Medical College Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou 014040, China
| | - Ke-Hua Zhu
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology and K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China
| | - Han-Xue Sun
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology and K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
- Department of Human Anatomy, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Su-Juan Shi
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology and K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
| | - E Mao
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology and K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
| | - Wei-Dong Zang
- Department of Human Anatomy, College of Preclinical Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Jing Cao
- Department of Human Anatomy, College of Preclinical Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Zhen-Zhen Kou
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology and K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
- Correspondence: (Z.-Z.K.); (Y.-Q.L.); Tel.: +86-29-8477-2706; Fax: +86-29-8328-3229 (Y.-Q.L.)
| | - Yun-Qing Li
- Department of Human Anatomy, College of Preclinical Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology and K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
- Department of Geriatrics, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710038, China
- Key Laboratory of Brain Science Research and Transformation in Tropical Environment of Hainan Province, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, China
- Department of Anatomy, College of Basic Medicine, Dali University, Dali 671000, China
- Correspondence: (Z.-Z.K.); (Y.-Q.L.); Tel.: +86-29-8477-2706; Fax: +86-29-8328-3229 (Y.-Q.L.)
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Bouras NN, Mack NR, Gao WJ. Prefrontal modulation of anxiety through a lens of noradrenergic signaling. Front Syst Neurosci 2023; 17:1173326. [PMID: 37139472 PMCID: PMC10149815 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2023.1173326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Anxiety disorders are the most common class of mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million individuals annually. Anxiety is an adaptive response to a stressful or unpredictable life event. Though evolutionarily thought to aid in survival, excess intensity or duration of anxiogenic response can lead to a plethora of adverse symptoms and cognitive dysfunction. A wealth of data has implicated the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in the regulation of anxiety. Norepinephrine (NE) is a crucial neuromodulator of arousal and vigilance believed to be responsible for many of the symptoms of anxiety disorders. NE is synthesized in the locus coeruleus (LC), which sends major noradrenergic inputs to the mPFC. Given the unique properties of LC-mPFC connections and the heterogeneous subpopulation of prefrontal neurons known to be involved in regulating anxiety-like behaviors, NE likely modulates PFC function in a cell-type and circuit-specific manner. In working memory and stress response, NE follows an inverted-U model, where an overly high or low release of NE is associated with sub-optimal neural functioning. In contrast, based on current literature review of the individual contributions of NE and the PFC in anxiety disorders, we propose a model of NE level- and adrenergic receptor-dependent, circuit-specific NE-PFC modulation of anxiety disorders. Further, the advent of new techniques to measure NE in the PFC with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution will significantly help us understand how NE modulates PFC function in anxiety disorders.
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Li L, Zhang H, Zheng Z, Ma N, Zhang Y, Liu Y, Zhang J, Su S, Zang W, Shao J, Cao J. Perioperative sleep deprivation activates the paraventricular thalamic nucleus resulting in persistent postoperative incisional pain in mice. Front Neuroanat 2022; 16:1074310. [PMID: 36620195 PMCID: PMC9813598 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2022.1074310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The duration of postsurgical pain is closely correlated with perioperative stress. Most patients suffer short-term sleep disorder/deprivation before and/or after surgery, which leads to extended postsurgical pain by an undetermined mechanism. The paraventricular thalamus (PVT) is a critical area that contributes to the regulation of feeding, awakening, and emotional states. However, whether the middle PVT is involved in postoperative pain or the extension of postoperative pain caused by perioperative sleep deprivation has not yet been investigated. Methods We established a model of postoperative pain by plantar incision with perioperative rapid eye movement sleep deprivation (REMSD) 6 h/day for 3 consecutive days in mice. The excitability of the CaMKIIα+ neurons in the middle PVT (mPVTCaMKIIα) was detected by immunofluorescence and fiber photometry. The activation/inhibition of mPVTCaMKIIα neurons was conducted by chemogenetics. Results REMSD prolonged the duration of postsurgical pain and increased the excitability of mPVTCaMKIIα neurons. In addition, mPVTCaMKIIα neurons showed increased excitability in response to nociceptive stimuli or painful conditions. However, REMSD did not delay postsurgical pain recovery following the ablation of CaMKIIα neurons in the mPVT. The activation of mPVTCaMKIIα neurons prolonged the duration of postsurgical pain and elicited anxiety-like behaviors. In contrast, inhibition of mPVTCaMKIIα neurons reduced the postsurgical pain after REMSD. Conclusion Our data revealed that the CaMKIIα neurons in the mPVT are involved in the extension of the postsurgical pain duration induced by REMSD, and represented a novel potential target to treat postoperative pain induced by REMSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Li
- Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Huijie Zhang
- Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Zhenli Zheng
- Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China,Department of Medical Record Management, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Nan Ma
- Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yidan Zhang
- Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yaping Liu
- Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jingjing Zhang
- Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Songxue Su
- Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Weidong Zang
- Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China,Neuroscience Research Institute, Zhengzhou University Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Jinping Shao
- Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China,Neuroscience Research Institute, Zhengzhou University Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou, Henan, China,*Correspondence: Jinping Shao,
| | - Jing Cao
- Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China,Neuroscience Research Institute, Zhengzhou University Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou, Henan, China,Jing Cao,
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33
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Gómez-Martínez DG, Ramos F, Ramos M, Robles F. A bioinspired model for the generation of a motivational state from energy homeostasis. COGN SYST RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cogsys.2022.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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34
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Gao F, Ma J, Yu YQ, Gao XF, Bai Y, Sun Y, Liu J, Liu X, Barry DM, Wilhelm S, Piccinni-Ash T, Wang N, Liu D, Ross RA, Hao Y, Huang X, Jia JJ, Yang Q, Zheng H, van Nispen J, Chen J, Li H, Zhang J, Li YQ, Chen ZF. A non-canonical retina-ipRGCs-SCN-PVT visual pathway for mediating contagious itch behavior. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111444. [PMID: 36198265 PMCID: PMC9595067 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Contagious itch behavior informs conspecifics of adverse environment and is crucial for the survival of social animals. Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and its receptor (GRPR) in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus mediates contagious itch behavior in mice. Here, we show that intrinsically photosensitive retina ganglion cells (ipRGCs) convey visual itch information, independently of melanopsin, from the retina to GRP neurons via PACAP-PAC1R signaling. Moreover, GRPR neurons relay itch information to the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT). Surprisingly, neither the visual cortex nor superior colliculus is involved in contagious itch. In vivo calcium imaging and extracellular recordings reveal contagious itch-specific neural dynamics of GRPR neurons. Thus, we propose that the retina-ipRGC-SCN-PVT pathway constitutes a previously unknown visual pathway that probably evolved for motion vision that encodes salient environmental cues and enables animals to imitate behaviors of conspecifics as an anticipatory mechanism to cope with adverse conditions. It has been shown that GRP-GRPR neuropeptide signaling in the SCN is important for contagious itch behavior in mice. Gao et al. find that SCN-projecting ipRGCs are sufficient to relay itch information from the retina to the SCN by releasing neuropeptide PACAP to activate the GRP-GRPR pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Gao
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA,Departments of Anesthesiology, Medicine, Psychiatry and Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Jun Ma
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA,Departments of Anesthesiology, Medicine, Psychiatry and Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Yao-Qing Yu
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA,Departments of Anesthesiology, Medicine, Psychiatry and Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA,Institute for Biomedical Sciences of Pain, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710038, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Fei Gao
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA,Departments of Anesthesiology, Medicine, Psychiatry and Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA,Present address: Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200434, P. R. China
| | - Yang Bai
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA,Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology & K.K. Leung Brain Research Centre, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, P. R. China,Present address: Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang 110016, P. R. China
| | - Yi Sun
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA,Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology & K.K. Leung Brain Research Centre, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, P. R. China,Present address: Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, P. R. China
| | - Juan Liu
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA,Departments of Anesthesiology, Medicine, Psychiatry and Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Xianyu Liu
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA,Departments of Anesthesiology, Medicine, Psychiatry and Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Devin M. Barry
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA,Departments of Anesthesiology, Medicine, Psychiatry and Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Steven Wilhelm
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA,Departments of Anesthesiology, Medicine, Psychiatry and Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Tyler Piccinni-Ash
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA,Departments of Anesthesiology, Medicine, Psychiatry and Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Na Wang
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA,Departments of Anesthesiology, Medicine, Psychiatry and Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA,Present address: Shandong Provincial Hospital for Skin Diseases & Shandong Provincial Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, P. R. China
| | - Dongyang Liu
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA,Departments of Anesthesiology, Medicine, Psychiatry and Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA,Department of Pain Management, the State Key Clinical Specialty in Pain Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510260, P.R. China
| | - Rachel A. Ross
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine Rose F. Kennedy Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Yan Hao
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA,Departments of Anesthesiology, Medicine, Psychiatry and Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA,Present address: Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, HuaZhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, P. R. China
| | - Xu Huang
- Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science and Institute for Medical and Engineering Innovation, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, P.R. China
| | - Jin-Jing Jia
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA,Departments of Anesthesiology, Medicine, Psychiatry and Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA,Present address: College of Life Sciences, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang 464000, P. R. China
| | - Qianyi Yang
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA,Departments of Anesthesiology, Medicine, Psychiatry and Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Hao Zheng
- Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science and Institute for Medical and Engineering Innovation, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, P.R. China
| | - Johan van Nispen
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA,Departments of Anesthesiology, Medicine, Psychiatry and Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA,Present address: Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Jun Chen
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences of Pain, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710038, P. R. China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology & K.K. Leung Brain Research Centre, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, P. R. China
| | - Jiayi Zhang
- Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science and Institute for Medical and Engineering Innovation, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, P.R. China
| | - Yun-Qing Li
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology & K.K. Leung Brain Research Centre, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, P. R. China
| | - Zhou-Feng Chen
- Center for the Study of Itch and Sensory Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA,Departments of Anesthesiology, Medicine, Psychiatry and Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA,Lead contact,Correspondence:
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Vertes RP, Linley SB, Rojas AKP. Structural and functional organization of the midline and intralaminar nuclei of the thalamus. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:964644. [PMID: 36082310 PMCID: PMC9445584 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.964644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The midline and intralaminar nuclei of the thalamus form a major part of the "limbic thalamus;" that is, thalamic structures anatomically and functionally linked with the limbic forebrain. The midline nuclei consist of the paraventricular (PV) and paratenial nuclei, dorsally and the rhomboid and nucleus reuniens (RE), ventrally. The rostral intralaminar nuclei (ILt) consist of the central medial (CM), paracentral (PC) and central lateral (CL) nuclei. We presently concentrate on RE, PV, CM and CL nuclei of the thalamus. The nucleus reuniens receives a diverse array of input from limbic-related sites, and predominantly projects to the hippocampus and to "limbic" cortices. The RE participates in various cognitive functions including spatial working memory, executive functions (attention, behavioral flexibility) and affect/fear behavior. The PV receives significant limbic-related afferents, particularly the hypothalamus, and mainly distributes to "affective" structures of the forebrain including the bed nucleus of stria terminalis, nucleus accumbens and the amygdala. Accordingly, PV serves a critical role in "motivated behaviors" such as arousal, feeding/consummatory behavior and drug addiction. The rostral ILt receives both limbic and sensorimotor-related input and distributes widely over limbic and motor regions of the frontal cortex-and throughout the dorsal striatum. The intralaminar thalamus is critical for maintaining consciousness and directly participates in various sensorimotor functions (visuospatial or reaction time tasks) and cognitive tasks involving striatal-cortical interactions. As discussed herein, while each of the midline and intralaminar nuclei are anatomically and functionally distinct, they collectively serve a vital role in several affective, cognitive and executive behaviors - as major components of a brainstem-diencephalic-thalamocortical circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert P. Vertes
- Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, United States
- Department of Psychology, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, United States
| | - Stephanie B. Linley
- Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, United States
- Department of Psychology, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, United States
- Department of Psychological Science, University of North Georgia, Dahlonega, GA, United States
| | - Amanda K. P. Rojas
- Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, United States
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Kirouac GJ, Li S, Li S. Convergence of monosynaptic inputs from neurons in the brainstem and forebrain on parabrachial neurons that project to the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus. Brain Struct Funct 2022; 227:2409-2437. [PMID: 35838792 PMCID: PMC9418111 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-022-02534-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) projects to areas of the forebrain involved in regulating behavior. Homeostatic challenges and salient cues activate the PVT and evidence shows that the PVT regulates appetitive and aversive responses. The brainstem is a source of afferents to the PVT and the present study was done to determine if the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPB) is a relay for inputs to the PVT. Retrograde tracing experiments with cholera toxin B (CTB) demonstrate that the LPB contains more PVT projecting neurons than other regions of the brainstem including the catecholamine cell groups. The hypothesis that the LPB is a relay for signals to the PVT was assessed using an intersectional monosynaptic rabies tracing approach. Sources of inputs to LPB included the reticular formation; periaqueductal gray (PAG); nucleus cuneiformis; and superior and inferior colliculi. Distinctive clusters of input cells to LPB-PVT projecting neurons were also found in the dorsolateral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BSTDL) and the lateral central nucleus of the amygdala (CeL). Anterograde viral tracing demonstrates that LPB-PVT neurons densely innervate all regions of the PVT in addition to providing collateral innervation to the preoptic area, lateral hypothalamus, zona incerta and PAG but not the BSTDL and CeL. The paper discusses the anatomical evidence that suggests that the PVT is part of a network of interconnected neurons involved in arousal, homeostasis, and the regulation of behavioral states with forebrain regions potentially providing descending modulation or gating of signals relayed from the LPB to the PVT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilbert J Kirouac
- Department of Oral Biology, Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, 780 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0W2, Canada. .,Departments of Psychiatry and Human Anatomy and Cell Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0W2, Canada.
| | - Sa Li
- Department of Oral Biology, Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, 780 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0W2, Canada
| | - Shuanghong Li
- Department of Oral Biology, Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, 780 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0W2, Canada
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Totty MS, Maren S. Neural Oscillations in Aversively Motivated Behavior. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:936036. [PMID: 35846784 PMCID: PMC9284508 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.936036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Fear and anxiety-based disorders are highly debilitating and among the most prevalent psychiatric disorders. These disorders are associated with abnormal network oscillations in the brain, yet a comprehensive understanding of the role of network oscillations in the regulation of aversively motivated behavior is lacking. In this review, we examine the oscillatory correlates of fear and anxiety with a particular focus on rhythms in the theta and gamma-range. First, we describe neural oscillations and their link to neural function by detailing the role of well-studied theta and gamma rhythms to spatial and memory functions of the hippocampus. We then describe how theta and gamma oscillations act to synchronize brain structures to guide adaptive fear and anxiety-like behavior. In short, that hippocampal network oscillations act to integrate spatial information with motivationally salient information from the amygdala during states of anxiety before routing this information via theta oscillations to appropriate target regions, such as the prefrontal cortex. Moreover, theta and gamma oscillations develop in the amygdala and neocortical areas during the encoding of fear memories, and interregional synchronization reflects the retrieval of both recent and remotely encoded fear memories. Finally, we argue that the thalamic nucleus reuniens represents a key node synchronizing prefrontal-hippocampal theta dynamics for the retrieval of episodic extinction memories in the hippocampus.
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Dumont C, Li G, Castel J, Luquet S, Gangarossa G. Hindbrain catecholaminergic inputs to the paraventricular thalamus scale feeding and metabolic efficiency in stress-related contexts. J Physiol 2022; 600:2877-2895. [PMID: 35648134 DOI: 10.1113/jp282996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The regulation of food intake and energy balance relies on the dynamic integration of exteroceptive and interoceptive signals monitoring nutritional, metabolic, cognitive, and emotional states. The paraventricular thalamus (PVT) is a central hub that, by integrating sensory, metabolic, and emotional states, may contribute to the regulation of feeding and homeostatic/allostatic processes. However, the underlying PVT circuits still remain elusive. Here, we aimed at unravelling the role of catecholaminergic (CA) inputs to the PVT in scaling feeding and metabolic efficiency. First, using region-specific retrograde disruption of CA projections, we show that PVT CA inputs mainly arise from the hindbrain, notably the locus coeruleus (LC) and the nucleus tractus solitarius. Second, taking advantage of integrative calorimetric measurements of metabolic efficiency, we reveal that CA inputs to the PVT scale adaptive feeding and metabolic responses in environmental, behavioural, physiological, and metabolic stress-like contexts. Third, we show that hindbrainTH →PVT inputs contribute to modulating the activity of PVT as well as lateral and dorsomedial hypothalamic neurons. In conclusion, the present study, by assessing the key role of CA inputs to the PVT in scaling homeostatic/allostatic regulations of feeding patterns, reveals the integrative and converging hindbrainTH →PVT paths that contribute to whole-body metabolic adaptations in stress-like contexts. KEY POINTS: The paraventricular thalamus (PVT) is known to receive projections from the hindbrain. Here, we confirm and further extend current knowledge on the existence of hindbrainTH →PVT catecholaminergic inputs, notably from the locus coeruleus and the nucleus tractus solitarius, with the nucleus tractus solitarius representing the main source. Disruption of hindbrainTH →PVT inputs contributes to the modulation of PVT neuron activity. HindbrainTH →PVT inputs scale feeding strategies in environmental, behavioural, physiological, and metabolic stress-like contexts. HindbrainTH →PVT inputs participate in regulating metabolic efficiency and nutrient partitioning in stress-like contexts. HindbrainTH →PVT inputs, directly and/or indirectly, contribute to modulating the downstream activity of lateral and dorsomedial hypothalamic neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarisse Dumont
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, Paris, France
| | - Guangping Li
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, Paris, France
| | - Julien Castel
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, Paris, France
| | - Serge Luquet
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, Paris, France
| | - Giuseppe Gangarossa
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, Paris, France
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Pessoa L, Medina L, Desfilis E. Refocusing neuroscience: moving away from mental categories and towards complex behaviours. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2022; 377:20200534. [PMID: 34957851 PMCID: PMC8710886 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mental terms-such as perception, cognition, action, emotion, as well as attention, memory, decision-making-are epistemically sterile. We support our thesis based on extensive comparative neuroanatomy knowledge of the organization of the vertebrate brain. Evolutionary pressures have moulded the central nervous system to promote survival. Careful characterization of the vertebrate brain shows that its architecture supports an enormous amount of communication and integration of signals, especially in birds and mammals. The general architecture supports a degree of 'computational flexibility' that enables animals to cope successfully with complex and ever-changing environments. Here, we suggest that the vertebrate neuroarchitecture does not respect the boundaries of standard mental terms, and propose that neuroscience should aim to unravel the dynamic coupling between large-scale brain circuits and complex, naturalistic behaviours. This article is part of the theme issue 'Systems neuroscience through the lens of evolutionary theory'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz Pessoa
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Loreta Medina
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Lleida Fundació Dr. Pifarré (IRBLleida), University of Lleida, 25198 Lleida, Spain
| | - Ester Desfilis
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Lleida Fundació Dr. Pifarré (IRBLleida), University of Lleida, 25198 Lleida, Spain
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Kanai M, Kamiizawa R, Hitora-Imamura N, Minami M. Exposure to hot and cold environments activates neurons projecting from the paraventricular thalamic nucleus to brain regions related to approach and avoidance behaviors. J Therm Biol 2022; 103:103157. [PMID: 35027193 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2021.103157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Although cool- and warm-seeking behaviors for behavioral thermoregulation are considered to be appetitive/approach and aversive/avoidance behaviors, the neuronal circuits mediating such behaviors remain to be elucidated. A growing body of evidence suggests that the paraventricular thalamic nucleus (PVT) is a key brain region in a neuronal circuit that mediates appetitive/approach and aversive/avoidance behaviors. In this study, to elucidate the neuronal circuits mediating behavioral thermoregulatory responses, we examined whether neuronal pathways from the PVT to the nucleus accumbens (NAc), bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), and central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA), which are brain regions implicated in mediating appetitive/approach and aversive/avoidance behaviors, are activated during exposure to hot (38°C) and cold (8°C) environments using c-Fos immunostaining and retrograde tracing. Our results showed activation of neuronal pathways from the PVT to the NAc, BNST, and CeA during exposure to hot and cold environments, suggesting that activation of these pathways may be involved in avoidance behaviors from hot and cold environments for behavioral thermoregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minami Kanai
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan
| | - Ryota Kamiizawa
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan
| | - Natsuko Hitora-Imamura
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan
| | - Masabumi Minami
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan.
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Fernandez-Leon JA, Engelke DS, Aquino-Miranda G, Goodson A, Rasheed MN, Do Monte FH. Neural correlates and determinants of approach-avoidance conflict in the prelimbic prefrontal cortex. eLife 2021; 10:74950. [PMID: 34913438 PMCID: PMC8853658 DOI: 10.7554/elife.74950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The recollection of environmental cues associated with threat or reward allows animals to select the most appropriate behavioral responses. Neurons in the prelimbic (PL) cortex respond to both threat- and reward-associated cues. However, it remains unknown whether PL regulates threat-avoidance vs. reward-approaching responses when an animals’ decision depends on previously associated memories. Using a conflict model in which male Long–Evans rats retrieve memories of shock- and food-paired cues, we observed two distinct phenotypes during conflict: (1) rats that continued to press a lever for food (Pressers) and (2) rats that exhibited a complete suppression in food seeking (Non-pressers). Single-unit recordings revealed that increased risk-taking behavior in Pressers is associated with persistent food-cue responses in PL, and reduced spontaneous activity in PL glutamatergic (PLGLUT) neurons during conflict. Activating PLGLUT neurons in Pressers attenuated food-seeking responses in a neutral context, whereas inhibiting PLGLUT neurons in Non-pressers reduced defensive responses and increased food approaching during conflict. Our results establish a causal role for PLGLUT neurons in mediating individual variability in memory-based risky decision-making by regulating threat-avoidance vs. reward-approach behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Douglas S Engelke
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, United States
| | - Guillermo Aquino-Miranda
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, United States
| | | | - Maria N Rasheed
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, United States
| | - Fabricio H Do Monte
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, United States
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Newman EL, Covington HE, Leonard MZ, Burk K, Miczek KA. Hypoactive Thalamic Crh+ Cells in a Female Mouse Model of Alcohol Drinking After Social Trauma. Biol Psychiatry 2021; 90:563-574. [PMID: 34281710 PMCID: PMC8463500 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Comorbid stress-induced mood and alcohol use disorders are increasingly prevalent among female patients. Stress exposure can disrupt salience processing and goal-directed decision making, contributing to persistent maladaptive behavioral patterns; these and other stress-sensitive cognitive and behavioral processes rely on dynamic and coordinated signaling by midline and intralaminar thalamic nuclei. Considering the role of social trauma in the trajectory of these debilitating psychopathologies, identifying vulnerable thalamic cells may provide guidance for targeting persistent stress-induced symptoms. METHODS A novel behavioral protocol traced the progression from social trauma to the development of social defensiveness and chronically escalated alcohol consumption in female mice. Recent cell activation-measured as cFos-was quantified in thalamic cells after safe social interactions, revealing stress-sensitive corticotropin-releasing hormone-expressing (Crh+) anterior central medial thalamic (aCMT) cells. These cells were optogenetically stimulated during stress-induced social defensiveness and abstinence-escalated binge drinking. RESULTS Crh+ aCMT neurons exhibited substantial activation after social interactions in stress-naïve but not in stressed female mice. Photoactivating Crh+ aCMT cells dampened stress-induced social deficits, whereas inhibiting these cells increased social defensiveness in stress-naïve mice. Optogenetically activating Crh+ aCMT cells diminished abstinence-escalated binge alcohol drinking in female mice, regardless of stress history. CONCLUSIONS This work uncovers a role for Crh+ aCMT neurons in maladaptive stress-induced social interactions and in binge drinking after forced abstinence in female mice. This molecularly defined thalamic cell population may serve as a critical stress-sensitive hub for social deficits caused by exposure to social trauma and for patterns of excessive alcohol drinking in female populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily L Newman
- Department of Psychology, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts
| | | | | | - Kelly Burk
- Department of Psychology, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts
| | - Klaus A Miczek
- Department of Psychology, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts; Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts.
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Giannotti G, Gong S, Fayette N, Heinsbroek JA, Orfila JE, Herson PS, Ford CP, Peters J. Extinction blunts paraventricular thalamic contributions to heroin relapse. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109605. [PMID: 34433067 PMCID: PMC8418780 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we use optogenetics and chemogenetics to investigate the contribution of the paraventricular thalamus (PVT) to nucleus accumbens (NAc) pathway in aversion and heroin relapse in two different heroin self-administration models in rats. In one model, rats undergo forced abstinence in the home cage prior to relapse testing, and in the other, they undergo extinction training, a procedure that is likened to cognitive behavioral therapy. We find that the PVT→NAc pathway is both sufficient and necessary to drive aversion and heroin seeking after abstinence, but not extinction. The ability of extinction to reduce this pathway's contribution to heroin relapse is accompanied by a loss of synaptic plasticity in PVT inputs onto a specific subset of NAc neurons. Thus, extinction may exert therapeutic reductions in opioid seeking by altering synaptic plasticity within the PVT→NAc pathway, resulting in reduced aversion during opioid withdrawal as well as reduced relapse propensity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Giannotti
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Sheng Gong
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Nicholas Fayette
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Jasper A Heinsbroek
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - James E Orfila
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Paco S Herson
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Christopher P Ford
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Jamie Peters
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
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Ma J, du Hoffmann J, Kindel M, Beas BS, Chudasama Y, Penzo MA. Divergent projections of the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus mediate the selection of passive and active defensive behaviors. Nat Neurosci 2021; 24:1429-1440. [PMID: 34413514 PMCID: PMC8484052 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-021-00912-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
The appropriate selection of passive and active defensive behaviors in threatening situations is essential for survival. Previous studies have shown that passive defensive responses depend on activity of the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA), whereas active ones primarily rely on the nucleus accumbens (NAc). However, the mechanisms underlying flexible switching between these two types of responses remain unknown. Here, we show in mice that the paraventricular thalamus (PVT) mediates the selection of defensive behaviors through its interaction with the CeA and the NAc. We show that the PVT–CeA pathway drives conditioned freezing responses, whereas the PVT–NAc pathway is inhibited during freezing and instead signals active avoidance events. Optogenetic manipulations revealed that activity in the PVT–CeA or PVT–NAc pathway biases behavior toward the selection of passive or active defensive responses, respectively. These findings provide evidence that the PVT mediates flexible switching between opposing defensive behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Ma
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Johann du Hoffmann
- Central Nervous System Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riß, Germany.,Rodent Behavioral Core, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Morgan Kindel
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - B Sofia Beas
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yogita Chudasama
- Rodent Behavioral Core, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Section on Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mario A Penzo
- Unit on the Neurobiology of Affective Memory, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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Cheron J, Kerchove d'Exaerde AD. Drug addiction: from bench to bedside. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:424. [PMID: 34385417 PMCID: PMC8361217 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01542-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug addiction is responsible for millions of deaths per year around the world. Still, its management as a chronic disease is shadowed by misconceptions from the general public. Indeed, drug consumers are often labelled as "weak", "immoral" or "depraved". Consequently, drug addiction is often perceived as an individual problem and not societal. In technical terms, drug addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing disease resulting from sustained effects of drugs on the brain. Through a better characterisation of the cerebral circuits involved, and the long-term modifications of the brain induced by addictive drugs administrations, first, we might be able to change the way the general public see the patient who is suffering from drug addiction, and second, we might be able to find new treatments to normalise the altered brain homeostasis. In this review, we synthetise the contribution of fundamental research to the understanding drug addiction and its contribution to potential novel therapeutics. Mostly based on drug-induced modifications of synaptic plasticity and epigenetic mechanisms (and their behavioural correlates) and after demonstration of their reversibility, we tried to highlight promising therapeutics. We also underline the specific temporal dynamics and psychosocial aspects of this complex psychiatric disease adding parameters to be considered in clinical trials and paving the way to test new therapeutic venues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Cheron
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, ULB Neuroscience Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, B-1070, Belgium
| | - Alban de Kerchove d'Exaerde
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, ULB Neuroscience Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, B-1070, Belgium.
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46
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De Groote A, de Kerchove d'Exaerde A. Thalamo-Nucleus Accumbens Projections in Motivated Behaviors and Addiction. Front Syst Neurosci 2021; 15:711350. [PMID: 34335197 PMCID: PMC8322971 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2021.711350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The ventral striatum, also called nucleus accumbens (NAc), has long been known to integrate information from cortical, thalamic, midbrain and limbic nuclei to mediate goal-directed behaviors. Until recently thalamic afferents have been overlooked when studying the functions and connectivity of the NAc. However, findings from recent studies have shed light on the importance and roles of precise Thalamus to NAc connections in motivated behaviors and in addiction. In this review, we summarize studies using techniques such as chemo- and optogenetics, electrophysiology and in vivo calcium imaging to elucidate the complex functioning of the thalamo-NAc afferents, with a particular highlight on the projections from the Paraventricular Thalamus (PVT) to the NAc. We will focus on the recent advances in the understanding of the roles of these neuronal connections in motivated behaviors, with a special emphasis on their implications in addiction, from cue-reward association to the mechanisms driving relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie De Groote
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, ULB Neuroscience Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Alban de Kerchove d'Exaerde
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, ULB Neuroscience Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
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